RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Pentoxifylline Ameliorates Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis in Rats: Role of Glutathione and Nitric Oxide JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 670 OP 676 VO 293 IS 2 A1 Luis Gómez-Cambronero A1 Bruno Camps A1 José García de la Asunción A1 Miguel Cerdá A1 Antonio Pellín A1 Federico V. Pallardó A1 Julio Calvete A1 Jacob H. Sweiry A1 Giovanni E. Mann A1 José Viña A1 Juan Sastre YR 2000 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/293/2/670.abstract AB Reactive oxygen radicals, nitric oxide, and cytokines have been implicated in the initiation of pancreatic tissue damage and impairment of the pancreatic microcirculation in acute pancreatitis. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative with rheologic and marked anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines. We have examined whether pentoxifylline ameliorates interstitial edema, inflammatory infiltrate, and glutathione depletion associated with cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Cotreatment of animals with pentoxifylline significantly reduced cerulein-induced pancreatic inflammation and edema and attenuated the depletion of pancreatic glutathione and the increase in serum lipase activity, nitrate, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels. Pentoxifylline also prevented both mitochondrial swelling and damage to mitochondrial cristae caused by cerulein. Our findings provide an experimental basis for using pentoxifylline to attenuate inflammatory responses within the pancreas in acute pancreatitis and as an adjuvant in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics